Exam (elaborations) SQA 2023

General marking principles for National 5 Mathematics Always apply these general principles. Use them in conjunction with the detailed marking instructions, which identify the key features required in candidates’ responses. For each question, the marking instructions are generally in two sections: generic scheme — this indicates why each mark is awarded illustrative scheme — this covers methods which are commonly seen throughout the marking In general, you should use the illustrative scheme. Only use the generic scheme where a candidate has used a method not covered in the illustrative scheme. (a) Always use positive marking. This means candidates accumulate marks for the demonstration of relevant skills, knowledge and understanding; marks are not deducted for errors or omissions. (b) If you are uncertain how to assess a specific candidate response because it is not covered by the general marking principles or the detailed marking instructions, you must seek guidance from your team leader. (c) One mark is available for each •. There are no half marks. (d) If a candidate’s response contains an error, all working subsequent to this error must still be marked. Only award marks if the level of difficulty in their working is similar to the level of difficulty in the illustrative scheme. (e) Only award full marks where the solution contains appropriate working. A correct answer with no working receives no mark, unless specifically mentioned in the marking instructions. (f) Candidates may use any mathematically correct method to answer questions, except in cases where a particular method is specified or excluded. (g) If an error is trivial, casual or insignificant, for example 6 x 6 = 12, candidates lose the opportunity to gain a mark, except for instances such as the second example in point (h) below. page 03 This is a transcription error and so the mark is not awarded. This is no longer a solution of a quadratic equation, so the mark is not awarded. (h) If a candidate makes a transcription error (question paper to script or within script), they lose the opportunity to gain the next process mark, for example 2 5 79 4 4 30 1 + += + − += = xx x x x x The following example is an exception to the above ( )( ) 2 5 79 4 4 30 3 10 1 or 3 + += + − += − −= = xx x x x x x x (i) Horizontal/vertical marking If a question results in two pairs of solutions, apply the following technique, but only if indicated in the detailed marking instructions for the question. Example: •5 •6 •5 x = 2 x = −4 •6 y = 5 y = −7 Horizontal: •5 x = 2 and x = −4 Vertical: •5 x = 2 and y = 5 •6 y = 5 and y = −7 •6 x = −4 and y = −7 You must choose whichever method benefits the candidate, not a combination of both. (j) In final answers, candidates should simplify numerical values as far as possible unless specifically mentioned in the detailed marking instruction. For example 15 12 must be simplified to 5 4 or 1 1 4 43 1 must be simplified to 43 15 0·3 must be simplified to 50 4 5 3 must be simplified to 4 15 64 must be simplified to 8* *The square root of perfect squares up to and including 144 must be known